Part II
Kaharen remembered the day well, even though it was almost twelve years ago now. Her parents had been lax before that day, letting her wander around the plateau where they lived. Being the best and oldest family of leather-workers and weavers in the canyons meant that demand for saddles and saddle blankets were high, so making them took up much of their time. They had warned her of danger, telling her stories of what could happen if she went too close to the edge. These had frightened her enough to keep her near the house. That is, until the day she had seen a dark shape swoop just over the edge of the cliff and then disappear. She hesitated, but than her curiosity had gotten the better of her and she had made her way to the drop-off that marked the edge of the large plateau. It was a long ways from the large house that had been in her family for generations, so her short legs had grown tired. Still, little Kaharen had been determined. She finally reached the edge, looked over, and gasped for a different reason than lack of breath.
It wasn't the height to the bottom of the canyon that had surprised her. Any normal human would have found looking at the canyon walls as they fell almost vertically down for over 10,000 meters breath-taking at least, but Kaharen was too young to appreciate the depth fully. Anyway, her attention was focused on the large shapes that soared between them. As come of them came closer, she realized they were birds, but they were no ordinary birds. They had eight-meter wingspans and were covered entirely with deep purple and black feathers. As the feathers caught the light Kaharen noticed they glinted, almost as if the were made of metal. Occasionally one would fly high enough that she could see its huge, black talons and wicked-looking, curved beak. She could also catch a glimpse of figures riding on their backs, dressed in and sitting on heavy leather and cloth which had probably come from one of Kaharen's family member's hands. Despite these birds' almost sinister appearance, Kaharen had seen them as beautiful, elegant creatures. Hundreds of meters below her, she saw groups of them wheel and loop in formation. They seemed so graceful, and their motions so rhythmic, Kaharen had found herself leaning farther and farther over the canyon. Suddenly her weight shifted and she had started to tumble of the rim. Before she had fallen too far, a strong arm had grabbed her by the waist and hoisted her up to the top again. She saw that it was her father. His blue eyes were filled with anger, and his tanned brow was furrowed. He carried her back to their house, saying nothing all the way. However, as soon they reached the tan adobe building in which they lived, he gave her the most impassioned lecture she had heard in her short life. She still cringed at the memory. Then, as he had been walking out, she asked simply, as only a child can, "Daddy, who were the people an’ the birdies?” For a reason she couldn’t fathom, he had stormed out in outrage.
Later that night, while she lay in bed, Kaharen had overheard her parents conversing in low voices in the next room. She crept nearer and heard the worried tone in both of their voices.
“I fear for our daughter’s future,” murmured her father. “The look in her eyes just after I rescued her… It was not one of panic but of excitement. I believe she may wish to become a Rider.”
“I will not stand for it! Every woman in this family had been a weaver. It is a tradition that stretches back for thousands of moon-turns! And to think that she would chose to become a Rider, of all things! Her feet belong on solid earth, not flying riskily above it. No daughter of mine shall ever go even near to one of those birds, those filthy Aleti, unless to deliver a saddle blanket she has woven!”
“I agree with you. Kaharen’s place is at her loom. I will speak with her tomorrow.”
Kaharen was crushed. Her father had been right about one thing, at least; thoughts of become one of those who soared though the air had been running through her mind. She fought back her tears and ran outside. Maybe she could catch a glimpse of the Riders and Aleti again. Instead, she slipped in a mud puddle that had formed after the afternoon rainstorm and came face to face with her reflection in the murky water.
Kaharen stared in surprise at the girl in the puddle. She had never seen her face, whether in a mirror or water before. She realized what she was seeing because they were wearing the same clothes and she recognized the blonde hair. However, before she could study her face, her world grew dark as she passed out.
She stared around herself at the blackness. She was not frightened, merely curious. Then she realized with delight that all sorts of rich colors were weaving themselves about her. They ranged from black and white, red and violet, and every color in between. But after the scene unfolded itself, Kaharen began to feel afraid…
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